HelloGiggleshttp://hellogiggles.com
HelloGiggles is a positive online community for women (although men are always welcome!) covering the latest in culture, female empowerment, style, relationships, friendship, careers, and issues that matter most to young women’s lives. And now, we are growing beyond just the website to include video, film, television and events.Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:11:08 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1Ask An Ace: Anesthesiologist Editionhttp://hellogiggles.com/ask-an-ace-anesthesiologist-edition/
http://hellogiggles.com/ask-an-ace-anesthesiologist-edition/#respondSun, 09 Jun 2013 20:00:55 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=160073Usually when I tell people about anesthesia, they end up falling asleep… (cricket sounds)… Sorry, I had to take the opportunity to…
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Ask An Ace: Anesthesiologist Edition

Usually when I tell people about anesthesia, they end up falling asleep… (cricket sounds)… Sorry, I had to take the opportunity to get a dorky joke in there. But seriously, I am excited to be a part of Ask An Ace so I can answer some questions about being the person that steals your senses during surgery, and fades into a hazy, blurry memory. So come gentle readers, let’s step behind those big surgical drapes!

Simply put, an anesthesiologist is the doctor that keeps you alive and comfortable during surgery. Anesthesia itself means “lack of sensation”, but as a practice it refers to relief of pain and lack of consciousness/awareness in addition to blocking sensation. We evaluate patients pre-operatively and come up with a plan for their anesthesia based on their medical conditions and the nature of the surgery. We then administer the appropriate type and dose of anesthesia to make the patient comfortable and safe. We stay in the operating the entire time monitoring the patients’ vital signs for their reactions to the anesthesia and the surgery. If anything isn’t perfect, we correct it. Finally we stop the anesthetic, wake the patient up, and take them to recovery room. Surgeries range from minor to major, but patients are always nervous and being a beacon of comfort and confidence is probably the most challenging yet rewarding part of the job.

Time for some questions!

1. How long are your shifts? Are they typically as long as doctors and nurses? Do you ever get to make your own schedule? – Aurora B.

Some groups have shifts, but many groups assign the anesthesia doctor to an OR (operating room) for the day and the day lasts as long as the cases take. Anesthesiologists are some of the hospital’s early birds; surgeries start around 7:15 am and the anesthesiologists arrive well beforehand to set up the OR, talk to the patient and do paperwork. I usually get to the hospital around 6:15 am. Cases then continue throughout the day, some days are short and some are very long. I could be done as early as 1:00 pm, or as late as 11:00 pm depending on what I am doing.

The day has a flow: Set up the OR, pre-op the patient, do the operation, go to recovery room and repeat. There isn’t really time for breaks. Some hospitals have a system to get their anesthesiologists out during cases for food or bathroom breaks… Ours does not. I just keep almonds in my pocket and credit my job for my girlish figure and my future kidney stones. I am partially kidding, but you really do get used to going for long periods without food or drink or bathroom breaks. I am a DREAM on long flights or road trips!

I don’t really make my own schedule, but I can request short days if I have an appointment and I can request vacation dates. It takes a lot of planning in advance; I can’t really do spur of the moment plans. I also can’t do lunch dates, happy hours or late night plans… But usually I can find a couple evenings a week to do something low key.

2. What are the differences between anesthesia options? Is it just gas vs. an IV? – Beatrice L.

Good question! This leads to my husbands favorite dorky joke, “I’ll try the local anesthesia, is it good?” Oof.

Local anesthesia: This is the injection of numbing medicine at the site of the surgery. Think minor procedures on a small area, like having a mole removed or a dental procedure. I even like to give a little injection of local anesthesia in the skin before I place an IV.

IV sedation: This is intravenous administration of pain medicine and/or sedatives. It can run the spectrum from slightly loopy to totally asleep. This often accompanies local anesthesia for procedures like biopsies or small hernia repairs, or is used for invasive tests like colonoscopies or angiograms. Propofol got some press if you recall; it is a wonderful drug that we use all the time for IV sedation. It gives patients a nice nap and they generally feel good and refreshed afterwards. People call it “The Michael Jackson Drug”, but the dangerous part of that equation was actually “The Michael Jackson Doctor”. The phrases “Don’t try this at home” and “For Professional Use Only” come to mind.

Regional anesthesia (peripheral nerve blocks and neuraxial blocks): A peripheral nerve block blocks sensation at the level of the nerve supplying an area. Imagine your leg falling asleep – that is basically regional anesthesia where the nerve supplying your leg with sensation is blocked after sitting with it compressed for a long time. This type of anesthesia is used for orthopedic procedures on the arms and legs quite often. Neuraxial blocks are spinals and epidurals, which are most commonly known for their roles in labor and delivery. They are also useful for lower extremity surgery and epidurals are very useful for pain relief after big abdominal or thoracic surgery.

General anesthesia: This is where you get the breathing tube. General anesthesia is needed for longer, more invasive operations that require a very deep level of anesthesia. With anesthesia of this depth, we need to breathe for the patient with a breathing tube and ventilator. This is the kind of anesthesia you would have for an appendectomy or for larger surgeries. It is a combination of IV agents and inhaled agents (the gases).

3. What’s the best part about your job? – Layla J.

I love my job. It is stressful, but it is always interesting and I love being able to make people feel better. I love the thrill of the operating room, and I love the challenge of big cases and sick patients (I specialize in liver transplantation anesthesia). I guess it’s an adrenaline rush of sorts. But over time, what is continually rewarding is the patient interaction. I enjoy meeting my patients, and figuring out how to best put them at ease and help them to feel comfortable going into surgery. I should also say I love the surgeons and nurses I work with; we have our own language and we go through a lot together. Everyone is so wonderful, smart and interesting in their own way. One of my favorite transplant surgeons listens to dubstep, just started bee keeping and is building an outdoor pizza oven!

4. What’s the most emotionally draining part about your job? – Reid M.

In residency, the most draining parts of the job were the hours and the constant learning. I spent many long days and long nights in the hospital, and then I would have to study when I got home. It was physically very draining, and when you get that tired and sleep deprived, you get emotional. I missed my friends and family, and the cases could be very emotional as well.

In general, doctors learn to compartmentalize emotions very well. Sometimes too well. We see our patients’ very sad, very difficult and very stressful situations every day, but we have to press on and put on a brave face even if we are terribly sad or emotional for them. I think I bottle up the sadness I feel, and then it sneaks up on me and comes pouring out when I watch a sad movie or even at random “off duty” times (like, say, seeing an older person holding a newly adopted shelter puppy). The weight of my responsibility to my patients can also be pretty emotionally draining.

I have to say, seeing how brave and strong my patients are in the face of horrible things is an endless source of inspiration. Honestly, it prevents me from getting too drained emotionally. As corny as it sounds, I see so much triumph of the human spirit that I seldom get too down.

5. Share the funniest moment with a patient. – Sal J.

Oh boy. Believe it or not, there are many! One time I pulled a sticky ECG lead off a particularly hirsute patient, and he yelled “KELLY CLARKSON”! Another time I had a teenage boy LOUDLY recounting the sex dream he had under anesthesia while we were rolling to recovery room. I had to keep him in the hallway so his mother wouldn’t hear him talking about having a three-way! Another good one was when I walked up to overhear a sweet nurse giving a patient pre-op instructions, “No sir, we don’t include vodka as a clear liquid you can consume before surgery.”

There are many more stories, SO many more… But we have to keep our secrets.

6. What did you find was the single most difficult thing about medical school (workload, staying in touch with non-med friends, possible depression, lack of free time, etc) and how did you cope with it? –Yasu H.

Well, you pretty much named all of the difficult things! I guess I just kept my sights on the future and plowed through. I had a couple of great friends in medical school – I lived with one of my (non-medical) best friends, and my other close friends understood I would sort of crawl into a medical training cave for quite a few years. I tried to just take really good care of myself, study my face off, and reach out when I could. It helps that medical training is insanely interesting and fun.

4 years of undergraduate, 4 years of medical school, 5 years of residency (I did two years of surgery), and 1 year of fellowship training. 14 years? And lots of debt.

8. Why did you choose to specialize in anesthesiology? -@fahmeddd

I actually switched from surgery to anesthesiology. I found anesthesia fascinating because of the variety. We treat the very sick patients, healthy patients, all ages, all different types of surgery, and we need to know about medicine and surgery. I also love taking care of one patient at a time so I can devote all of my attention and energy to that patient. Finally, I just love being in the OR – I don’t have to make patients wait in clinic.

10. What are the chances of waking up during surgery/while under anesthesia? -@kayla_m23

I am so glad you asked! In a young, healthy patient, the chance of waking up during surgery is extremely small. There are many ways to ensure the patient has an adequate depth of anesthesia throughout the surgery, and in a healthy patient, we are able to give more than enough anesthesia to ensure that depth. As I tell my patients, “Yes I will make sure are asleep… And I will make sure you wake up!”

Trauma patients, cardiac patients and women undergoing emergency C-sections with general anesthesia are at a slightly higher risk of awareness. Trauma patients and cardiac patients are often too unstable or too sick to physiologically tolerate higher levels of anesthesia. The urgent nature of a crash emergency C-section or with trauma patients sometimes doesn’t allow enough time for adequate levels of anesthesia.

Well, it’s bedtime. Thanks for reading if you are still with me… Or are you asleep? Either way, I’ve done my job.

]]>http://hellogiggles.com/ask-an-ace-anesthesiologist-edition/feed/06 Signs That People Are Afraid Of You (In A Bad Way)http://hellogiggles.com/6-signs-that-people-are-afraid-of-you-in-a-bad-way/
http://hellogiggles.com/6-signs-that-people-are-afraid-of-you-in-a-bad-way/#respondFri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:23 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=147478In Iron Man, Tony Stark asks, “Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask…
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6 Signs That People Are Afraid Of You (In A Bad Way)

In Iron Man, Tony Stark asks, “Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both?” Well, aside from being Iron Man, Buffy Summers or maybe Miranda Priestly, I would venture to say it is pretty difficult to achieve both. I would also say that people can be afraid of you in a bad way if you don’t hold the title of Super Hero, Vampire Slayer, Runway Magazine Editor-in-Chief or Ultimate Fighting Champ.

Being respected is one thing, being feared is quite another. Respect is a positive thing; fear, not so much. If you think people are afraid of you, it might be time to have a little check in with yourself.

Are you being a jerk? Is it because of pressure that you are under, or is it just how you are?

Are you giving off the wrong vibes? Is your shyness or intensity misunderstood?

Are you just creepy (I say this from a loving place, as a lover of all things creepy)?

Are you a murderer or a raging a-hole? If so, stop reading. Nature wants people to be afraid of you.

Before you start looking at the person in the mirror, here are 6 signs that people are afraid of you in a bad way:

1. People aren’t doing their jobs well around you.

Anxiety degrades performance. If your coworkers, employees, friends or others are afraid of you, chances are, little things will slip through the cracks as they scramble day in and day out trying not to set you off. People get so focused on pleasing someone that they become easily flustered. Who can blame them? Walking on eggshells is a full time job! Try to put people at ease. Watch and see how they are able to function so much better without stressing out about you.

2. People won’t look you in the eye.

Maybe you wear sunglasses inside for the intimidation factor. Chances are if people are afraid of you they won’t be trying to peer into the windows of your soul anyway. They are afraid of staring into the black abyss or triggering you into a rage. Animals often perceive eye contact as a threat, and no one wants to threaten you. So take off those sunglasses you weirdo, or start meeting peoples glances to say, “Hey, I’m not going to bite your head off.”

3. People won’t ask you questions (personal or professional).

Limiting conversation with a scary person is the best course of action. People may avoid asking you questions about work, and they definitely won’t ask you how your weekend was. They don’t want to open a world of hurt by asking you the wrong question, and they may worry they will hear tales of how you terrorize people or kick puppies in your personal time. Open up by asking people questions about their lives; you may change how they see you.

4. People avoid you.

Do people clear away from you at work or at parties? Or, in a more extreme demonstration of fear, do people cross the street when they see you coming? This speaks strongly to you being creepy, or being a jerk. Try smiling, try saying hello… Try leaving your throwing stars at home?

5. People let you make mistakes or do dangerous things.

People are afraid to tell you not to go to the restaurant where everyone else got food poisoning. People are afraid to take your keys when you have had one too many. People don’t make corrections or give your work constructive criticism… When people are afraid of you, they are afraid to help you, too. They are afraid of your wrath should they make any suggestion or comment that might be taken in the wrong way. This is one of the major ways that having people afraid of you can hurt you in the long run.

6. People’s voices change when you are around.

Do peoples talk quickly? Do their voices get high? Do you get easy, nervous laughs? Is everyone speaking in hushed tones around you? Do people just plain stop talking when you come around? It might be time to pay attention to the way people talk to you, and reassess.

These are some signs that people are afraid of you (in a bad way). Remember, while people may go out of their way to avoid upsetting you, they are doing so in their best interest and not in yours. The negative kind of fear doesn’t come from positive feelings for a person, and it doesn’t necessarily come with respect. In the long run, respect is a much more constructive and positive thing to earn from people. Unless you want people to be afraid of you for some reason, you slayer… That is an entirely different article.

]]>http://hellogiggles.com/6-signs-that-people-are-afraid-of-you-in-a-bad-way/feed/0“Dizzy” for Sam Shelton!http://hellogiggles.com/dizzy-for-sam-shelton/
http://hellogiggles.com/dizzy-for-sam-shelton/#commentsMon, 18 Mar 2013 19:30:40 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=140783It’s springtime, and there is no person that embodies spring more than the lovely Sam Shelton. She is busy, beautiful, and literally…
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“Dizzy” for Sam Shelton!

It’s springtime, and there is no person that embodies spring more than the lovely Sam Shelton. She is busy, beautiful, and literally full of life (read on to see how that is appropriate use of the word literal). You’ve already seen her video for “Over You” here on HelloGiggles. Her new album Reservoir, produced by Ben Lee, is out now!

Fun Fact #2: That is a 6 months pregnant belly in those hot stretch pants and heels! Beyonce much?

Fun Fact #3: Girl. Power.

Fun Fact #4: You are seeing it here, FIRST!

Sam is an L.A. based singer, songwriter, and actress.. She is a strong, talented, funny and sweet; someone anyone would want as a BFF. After breaking into the acting world, she got her start in the Los Angeles music scene in cabaret band, The Pretty Babies with HelloGiggles’ very own Zooey Deschanel. She recorded her first full-length album Are You Kidding Around in 2009; followed by two EP’s, Cranky Moon and Sea Legs. She also recorded “The Man With The Big Sombrero” for Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds Grammy nominated Soundtrack. Reservoir is her second full-length album, and it is the perfect soundtrack to welcome spring… And summer… And fall… And winter. Not to play favorites, but “Break Into Me” and “Evening Wear” are quite dazzling.

I caught up with Sam to ask a few questions and enjoyed learning about her childhood in Eagle Rock (before it was cool), her biggest creation yet (can you name a baby “Rainbow Colors Bones Davis”?), and her obsession with The Bachelor(seriously obsessed). Check it out, and check out her tunes! You are going to fall for Sam Shelton!

What was your childhood like? What was mini Sam Shelton like?

I had a great childhood growing up on the east side in Eagle Rock, before it was so hipster. I loved roller blading, jumping on my trampoline, doing theatre, going to the movies and reading. Basically I was a dork, but weren’t we all? I have three older sisters and our house had one bathroom…in the 80’s… it was chaos. I learned how to fend for myself.

When and how did you start making music? Were you surprised when that beautiful voice first came out of your mouth?

Well, my whole family is musical and we would all sing together all the time, especially in the car. Harmonizing was just a normal part of our everyday life. My sister Erin is an amazing singer, trained in opera and jazz, so to me, she was the singer in the family and I was the theatre nerd. When Zooey Deschanel and I formed The Pretty Babies in the early 2000’s and we started doing our live shows, that’s when I gained confidence and became really passionate about pursuing music alongside acting.

What are you really excited about right now (hehe I bet I know)?

Oh, could it be the human BABY growing inside my body right this minute?? I am SO excited. He is very active, kicking me all the time, just like his father… ha. It’s very surreal and a bit like ALIEN, but I absolutely love it. It was so fun to film the video for “Dizzy” and completely rock the bump. We have no official name yet, so we go by what my 3 year old niece calls him: “Rainbow Colors Bones Davis”. Oh and, for the record, milkshakes. I always want milkshakes.

What inspires you the most?

In general, I’m inspired by witty people. Laughing gets my juices flowing. That, and taking long walks in the hills and being close to nature. When I write, it usually starts in my imagination and spreads outward. Making up a line, or a story, warms me up and helps encourage a deeper truth to emerge. Also, being happily married, I definitely pay close attention to the crazy love lives of my single girlfriends!

Tons of friends or a few BFFs?

Both! I am lucky to have a large circle of great friends that I’ve known for a long time now, which is rare in a city like LA. On the other side I do have my BFF’s that I hold super close to my heart.

Lipstick or eyeliner?

Lipstick! I’ve never successfully self applied a liquid liner cat-eye, though Lord knows I have tried.

What is your strangest hobby or habit?

Probably my obsession with The Bachelor. At this point, it’s definitely both a hobby and a habit!

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?

About two months ago. I don’t even remember exactly what it was about. Something totally random that no one else would find funny at all completely set me off. That’s pregnancy hormones for you! I think my hubby took a pic… I’ll try to find it.

Okay, you know that, who would you f%$#, marry, kill game? How about who would you duet, learn from, rap battle?

Greatest game ever.

Ok…

Duet: My picks would be Linda Ronstadt, Thom Yorke, Adele, Feist, Nat King Cole, and Beyonce because I just want to hang out with Beyonce.

Rap Battle: All of the above, plus my husband who actually put out rap records back in the day as Deerflesh MC. He probably wants a rematch from our wedding reception when I completely destroyed him in an ultimate freestyle battle…like a Boss.

Describe the person who would love your music?

Everyone! At least I hope so. If you like super catchy songs that are a little bit sweet, a little bit salty, a little bit sentimental, and a little bit feisty… if you like to sing in the shower or in your car at the top of your lungs…if you ever feel sassy or fed up or confused or amused… then you will love my music!

]]>http://hellogiggles.com/dizzy-for-sam-shelton/feed/1Private Practice: When A Doctor Shares Too Muchhttp://hellogiggles.com/private-practice-when-a-doctor-shares-too-much/
http://hellogiggles.com/private-practice-when-a-doctor-shares-too-much/#commentsFri, 15 Feb 2013 13:30:52 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=134708Amy Dunbar, an OB GYN in the Midwest, has recently come under fire for posting comments about a patient on Facebook. The…
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Private Practice: When A Doctor Shares Too Much

Amy Dunbar, an OB GYN in the Midwest, has recently come under fire for posting comments about a patient on Facebook. The initial comment was a bit snarky, expressing frustration about the patient’s habitual tardiness for appointments:

“I have a patient who has chosen to either no-show or be late (sometimes hours) for all of her prenatal visits, ultrasounds, and NSTs. She is now 3 hours late for her induction. May I show up late to her delivery?”

After a few comments from friends, she revealed the reason why she has tolerated this patient’s tardiness:

“Here is the explanation why I have put up with it/ not cancelled induction: Prior stillbirth.”

Ohhhh boy. I can see how this has stirred up quite the controversy. Some are insisting that Dr. Dunbar be fired for revealing private patient information on Facebook, while others say she was simply venting about work and never revealed the patient’s actual name. I can see where both sides are coming from.

In terms of confidentiality, I don’t think she technically violated the rules set by the HIPAA (The US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) Privacy Rule against linking Protected Health Information (PHI) to a specific individual. Technicalities aside, while she didn’t reveal the patient’s name, she may have posted too much information after revealing that this patient had a prior stillbirth. Anyone in Dr. Dunbar’s office could potentially identify a woman who was consistently late (not private information) as having suffered a previous stillbirth (very private and devastating information).

The patient would also likely be able to identify herself in reading Dr. Dunbar’s posts and perceive her privacy as having been violated. The original statement about the patient’s lateness, while a bit whiny and maybe not what people want to hear from a doctor, wasn’t revealing any private information. However, mentioning the stillbirth was pretty crass and potentially identifying. Beyond that, mentioning something as heart-wrenching as a woman’s stillbirth on Facebook is something I find extremely crude and unprofessional. Not to mention, maybe the horror of having had a stillbirth is factoring into this patient’s resistance to showing up for appointments. She may be terrified and filled with dread.

I believe the real issue here is that of professionalism. There are strict rules for privacy and confidentiality, but there is nothing set in stone mandating professionalism for doctors or other healthcare workers. Before social media was literally at our fingertips, it was easy to separate the personal from the professional. Do doctors and nurses have the right to a personal life and personal opinions? Yes. Do health care professionals have the right to complain about work and share crazy stories? Sure. Do they have the right to make these things public on Facebook? To that I have to say no, or, only extremely carefully.

As a medical professional, one has a responsibility to the public to uphold a professional image and maintain trust. As medical professionals, we sort of sacrifice the right to be publicly crass, cynical, irresponsible or ridiculous. No one wants to see us drunk at a party knowing we will go to work in the operating room on Monday, and no one wants to hear us rant in detail about our jobs. I try to keep things light, vague, professional and private. I select my audience carefully, and I prefer for people to ask me questions so they can set the limits on what they want to know.

I live in fear of offending or scaring people. Few civilian types want to hear about facial trauma in detail if you know what I mean. I try to leave the drama and humor to Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs, because that is where it belongs. In reality, we all want to think of the hospital and health care professionals as serious and infallible. Obviously doctors and nurses are human, but unfortunately that human side should be kept mostly private. It’s a tough balance though, as robotic and cold health care workers are equally unappealing. A little bedside manner goes a long way, and a little over-sharing digs a big hole. At the end of the day, no one wants to think about their doctors talking about them on Facebook, revealing details or not.

I believe Amy Dunbar had a right to be annoyed with this patient, but she should have kept that to herself or between her and a friend or colleague in private. Instead, by posting about it on Facebook, she came across as rash, immature, insensitive and unprofessional. I don’t think that she is a bad doctor, though. I sincerely believe that she and other medical professionals can learn an important lesson from this backlash. It is critical that professionals maintain professionalism in the public domain, and this includes online. It is still new territory, and many doctors and nurses may need some training or gentle reminders about what is and is not appropriate. Patient privacy is something that must never be breached, but outside of that there is a lot of gray area in terms of what a health care professional should and should not share.

Above all, one must remember their duty to the public to be professional and trustworthy. That said, I feel sad for Dr. Dunbar. I doubt she meant any harm by her post, and I am willing to bet she feels horrible about her actions. She no doubt became an OB GYN out of love for helping women, and she is likely devastated by how this turned out. I think we can all take this as a lesson in navigating the brave new world of social media. Let’s not burn her at the stake like the poor nurse involved in the Kate Middleton scandal, but let’s make her an example for how health care professionals must never, ever behave.

]]>http://hellogiggles.com/private-practice-when-a-doctor-shares-too-much/feed/9The Problem of “What Now?”http://hellogiggles.com/the-problem-of-what-now/
http://hellogiggles.com/the-problem-of-what-now/#commentsWed, 13 Feb 2013 14:00:17 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=134344I have been running toward some sort of finish line for most of my conscious life. Externally imposed goals have kept me…
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The Problem of “What Now?”

I have been running toward some sort of finish line for most of my conscious life. Externally imposed goals have kept me going ever since I can remember. Internal motivation played a role, but the goals were always set for me and I simply followed point A to B and so on. Everything has been pretty formulaic, pretty paint-by-numbers. Some call this drive, determination or ambition… But I sort of see it as taking the obvious route.

After finishing college, medical school, residency and fellowship, I am “done”. I have no more huge and mandatory milestones. Even though everything is seemingly in place, I have never felt so utterly lost. I have gone from living by life by a syllabus or checklist to just… living. After years of aiming for the goals so tidily laid out for me, I have completely atrophied with respect to creating my own goals. I can’t help but think, “What now?”

Don’t get me wrong – I love my life and I am proud of and thankful for everything I have accomplished. I have a career, a great relationship, wonderful family and friends, an adorable dog, and a lovely home. I don’t want more, I just want to know what is next. I want to know what to want, what to try for. It is a great and inspiring problem to have. It’s hard to imagine settling into cruise control already, and I am eager to find out what else I am meant to do. I never thought to fantasize or imagine life beyond finishing my medical training, and now that I am here, I am overwhelmed and paralyzed by possibility. No one is going to tell me what to do. No one is going to knock on my door with an inspiring new project. I have to want something. I desperately wish I had kept up hobbies during my school and training, but I just sort of shut everything else out.

I guess one has to realize that everything is really about the journey and not the destination. I sort of always knew this, but now that I am temporarily out of distinct end points, I am really feeling it. I enjoyed my time in school and residency immensely, and I can say I enjoyed every day (albeit admittedly through the rose colored glasses of nostalgia). I continue to enjoy every day, but I am missing that undercurrent of drive to “complete” something that I grew so used to. Yes, it’s hard to be challenged by outside forces, but I am learning that it is harder to truly challenge ones self. Dreaming up the challenge is as hard as facing it; it’s twice the work. This is why I admire artists of all types so very much. I admire anyone who forges their own path and goals. Hellooooo, Lena Dunham. Wow.

I guess if there is anything I would like for someone to get from this essay, it is to hang onto yourself (if I may quote David Bowie). Keep setting your own goals in addition to doing the things that you have to do. Don’t get so caught up on that treadmill that you have to re-learn how to run on your own. Was that a horrible, gross, cliché analogy? I don’t know. I am just learning how to write creatively again. Sorry to put that on you. It’s part of figuring out what I want to do now.

Does anyone have some inspiration to throw my way? Has anyone else faced the “what now?” How do you all set personal goals? Is there a creative life after so much school? What are you creating?

Yup. My Rescue Dog Rescued Me

This is my goofy dog’s photo when he was up for adoption at Best Friends Animal Society, Los Angeles. His name is Wally. Behind his smile and before the safety he found at Best Friends, was a history of probable abuse, living as a stray in LA with a broken leg and dead tail, and then waiting for the “Youth In Asia” in a shelter. I can hardly think about it without getting a choked up. I always said I would never say “My dog rescued me”, but… Wow. Despite his sad past, this little fighter had strength, inspiration and a bottomless well of love to share. As it turns out, just like countless other people, he is just what I needed. He’s kind of my hero, even when he brazenly parades around with my new J. Crew pump in his little mouth. That’s love.

Just before Thanksgiving last year, I had hit a low. Not a dangerous low, but a chronic insidious low that had taken over. Again. One I was well acquainted with. I had general sadness and anxiety, and ongoing issues with self-worth and self-image. All these things had plagued me for going on 20-some years in oscillating degrees of severity; all of these were things I thought I would outgrow, but just hadn’t been able to shake. I also suffer a great deal of stress at work that starts to take a toll on me in the outside world.

On November 15th, 2011, I was heading home, engaging self-destructive and negative thoughts. Then something rare happened- I had my own idea that grew into something more powerful. My husband, my sister and I had gone to Best Friends Animal Society to look at dogs the weekend before. We were on the fence about getting a dog, but I was happy to be entertaining the idea more seriously. We had seen Wally, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the little guy. Well, on November 15th, I took control. It was more than saying yes to a dog; I was saying yes to myself, and no to my insecurities. For some reason, I knew if I drove right to the shelter at that moment, I would be okay. If I could let in something that meant more than my compulsions and obsessions, I would heal. I would be safe. I finally made an active choice in favor of my emotional health and drove straight to Best Friends in Mission Hills.

I brought Wally home that day, and right away I had to push myself aside and start tending to him. We got through his adjustment period, we are working through his trust issues with men, we treated fleas and giardia, we started basic training and we fell in love. For me, it has been completely transformative. I was free from my anxieties and depression for the first few months, and completely immersed in caring for him. Little did I know he was caring for me, too. Gradually, the negative thinking found ways to creep back in, but I had changed. I had built new confidence from my ability and duty to care for Wally. I had gained the confidence and desire to care for myself. I’m not perfect, but I’m in love with this little guy and by virtue of that, I have learned to be worlds kinder to myself. It may seem ridiculous, but his trust and love for me has made me trust and love myself more. He has convinced me of things that humans (including expensive therapists) could not. Short term stress and problems also seem much more manageable when I am focused on making him happy and healthy; he really is the perfect escape and puts everything into perspective.

So yes, I too have a dog that “rescued me”. I can say this after years of trying to help myself, and pretty much failing. It’s quite incredible actually. If anyone reading this is feeling isolated, sad, lonely, depressed, anxious, and/or is struggling with eating disorders or self-worth; I recommend considering volunteering at an animal shelter. Maybe try fostering an animal, or even jump in and adopt. You never know; they may get to you in a way that the humans cannot.

]]>http://hellogiggles.com/yup-my-rescue-dog-rescued-me/feed/0What’s A Catfish, Anyway?http://hellogiggles.com/whats-a-catfish-anyway/
http://hellogiggles.com/whats-a-catfish-anyway/#commentsTue, 29 Jan 2013 17:00:17 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=131014You have probably heard the term “catfish” by now. Used as a noun or a verb, it refers to a person or…
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What’s A Catfish, Anyway?

You have probably heard the term “catfish” by now. Used as a noun or a verb, it refers to a person or the act of engaging in an online relationship while posing as someone else. The term comes from the title of the 2010 documentary – and now hit MTV show – Catfish. In the documentary, Nev Schulman uncovered the truth behind his own online relationship. Now on the show, he is doing so for others. No spoilers here, but I highly recommend both. Let’s just say you never know what is going on until you meet someone IRL.

The term has swum even further into the mainstream with the recent Manti Te’o debacle and has even garnered a Saturday Night Live spoof. It happened to adorable Nev Schulman. It happened to a star football player. It has happened to people you know. In this day and age with alternative lives and personal images just a few Facebook uploads away, it can happen to any of us. Is it terrible? Is it psycho? Is it evil? Honestly, I don’t know. I think that catfishing can come from a place of loneliness, wanting love and wanting acceptance. Granted, there are just cruel people who want to trick other people with no regard for their emotions. But maybe some catfish start out of a desire for companionship paired with a lack of self-confidence, and things snowball. I think that we can all be a little catfishy, if I may go on ahead and make it an adjective.

I say this because I can relate. I dare say we can all relate on some level. With all of the relationship opportunities afforded to us by social media, we get the chance to retool our images and fine-tune our realities to present ourselves exactly how we want to be seen. We can make ourselves look attractive to potential dates, cool to potential friends, enviable to friends and acquaintances and desirable to exes. Do you really think that girl on Facebook is running ten miles, baking two loaves of artisan bread and making Mad Men-themed cocktails for her parties every day? Is everyone on Twitter witty every single waking moment and never lonely? Is everyone on Instagram dining exclusively in gourmet restaurants, constantly at museums or events, eternally on vacation and always in a swarm of friends? Do we post selfies right after we pop a pimple? I would venture a solid “no”. No one is perfect or doing amazing things around the clock, but we all get to filter out the boring stuff and condense our coolness for our online image.

Then there is dating. I think the opening scene in Bridesmaids sums it up nicely… errrrr, after THAT scene… I’m talking about the one where Kristen Wiig wakes up and puts on makeup before that Hunk of Hamm sees her in the morning. Did you laugh? Did you laugh because you have done that? I thought so. We are all pretending to be the best version of ourselves when we start to date someone. I started dating my now husband after we reconnected on the ever hip and thriving social media hub “MySpace”. We knew each other back in high school, but things change after (ahem) 11 years. We progressed to emailing, and let me tell you, I was probably looking more than a little catfishy (French braid and all) when I wrote some of those bad boys. Emailing allowed me to control how I expressed myself and what I shared. I was able to recount only the interesting things I did and the more impressive thoughts that I had. I could easily leave out details like my struggle with depression, and I could make it seem like I did more than work and watch Buffy episodes in my dark studio apartment. Granted, when we finally met up in person, we were both fantastically hot (kidding- but I am working on my self-esteem. Fake it ’til ya make it!), but I think a lot of the foundation for our attraction formed during the emailing and the phone calls. He had only seen the “cute” photos I had carefully selected for my profile or to sent via email after painfully screened PhotoBooth sessions of myself “before I went to bed” (never sans concealer and mascara). I joke about it, but seriously, did I catfish him a little?

I guess the difference is that while a lot of us show only the best parts of ourselves online or in a new relationship, we aren’t lying or pretending to be someone we aren’t. We are merely sharing the “good” while omitting the “bad”. This probably isn’t lying. A true catfish forms relationships based on lies about who they are, and ends up hurting people. I don’t know if I think all catfish are terrible people, though. I’m sure many really and truly invest their feelings and their true personalities into the relationships they form, but the problem is that there are lies at the foundation.

Then again, some just are probably just pathological liars, or people who enjoy messing with people. I don’t know how I feel. I get it, and I don’t get it. It all saddens me and scares me a bit. The internet is this amazing tool that lets us become whoever we want, and lets us reach out and connect with people. Catfishing is the dark side of that. We have to be responsible with the feelings of others no matter how good and validated we want the internet to make us feel.

*Just so you all know, I wrote this in sweats and no makeup, eating carrots dipped in ketchup (not on an adorable plate) and my house is a mess. My dog is cute, but he just peed on the rug. I have no interesting plans today. I feel lonely a lot. I don’t read enough. I eat too much sugar. I don’t work out enough. I can be pretty negative. I get insomnia. The grass in my backyard is dead. I sometimes wish I still lived with my parents because I miss them. But I am a good person. No catfish?

]]>http://hellogiggles.com/whats-a-catfish-anyway/feed/2Fall In Love With Haim!http://hellogiggles.com/fall-in-love-with-haim/
http://hellogiggles.com/fall-in-love-with-haim/#commentsMon, 21 Jan 2013 12:00:17 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=127808HAIM rhymes with time (not like Corey Haim, which rhymes with name), and the are the all time best. Let me just…
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Fall In Love With Haim!

HAIM rhymes with time (not like Corey Haim, which rhymes with name), and the are the all time best. Let me just run wild for a minute… Future music article titles, you are welcome:

A Ticking Haim Bomb

Hammer Haim

It’s Haim To Get Ill

I’ve Had The Haim of My Life

Haim For A Change

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Haim

Don’t Let Haim Pass You By

Haim After Haim

As Haim Goes By

Quality Haim

The Haim Is Right

Big Haim

Let The Good Haims Roll

Haim is Money

Haim and Haim Again

Same Haim, Same Place

Haim is Of The Essence

Haim Heals All Wounds

The Haim is Now

Many of you have probably heard of one of the most amazing bands out there right now: a trio of sisters from the 818 (that’s the valley, y’all) about to reach the… What’s the area code for the world?

The first time I heard these lovely girls, the high school me of yore immediately was mad with jealously that she didn’t have this music. I’m telling you, they would have gotten me through high school and college, and that is saying A LOT. They are so incredibly good. I hate doing the mash-up “this meets this meets this” description thing, so I won’t; also these young ladies have a sound entirely of their own that defies description. I think that all good music has the common thread of touching our souls in some way, of literally and metaphorically resonating with us. This is that kind of music; it will make you feel the way that your other favorites have made you feel with an extra bit of rock and roll.

Did I mention they are wonderful people? Este, Danielle and Alana are all hilarious, gorgeous and incredibly sweet. Anyone would put them on a dream BFF list for sure. Their parents are absolute gems, as well. They put on an incredible show, with unbelievable transcendent moments… And then the next moment they bring Mamma and Papa Haim onstage for a barn-burning rendition of ‘Mustang Sally’. See them if you get the chance. Oh, and Miss Alana is a nail art maven. I just love this family and their musical genius.

And finally, A Haim-ku:

Voices, legs and hair

Rocking drum beats and guitar

The Haim Sisters rule

Check out their site for new videos, music downloads, and tour schedules!

]]>http://hellogiggles.com/fall-in-love-with-haim/feed/1Breaking Bath: Why I Stick With the Showerhttp://hellogiggles.com/breaking-bath-why-i-stick-with-the-shower/
http://hellogiggles.com/breaking-bath-why-i-stick-with-the-shower/#commentsMon, 14 Jan 2013 17:30:11 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=126469If I were an actor, my name would not be Channing Bathum or Anne Bathaway. If I were a former US President,…
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Breaking Bath: Why I Stick With the Shower

If I were an actor, my name would not be Channing Bathum or Anne Bathaway. If I were a former US President, my name would not be Bathraham Lincoln.

I am an adult woman, and I do not know how to take a bath.

Before I go on and mislead you into thinking I am grimy… Let me quickly state that I am a very clean devotee of the shower. In fact, it was in the shower just moments ago where I thought up those dreadful name puns. I guess that alone supports the fact that I need an alternative means of cleaning my bod.

I don’t really make New Year’s Resolutions, but I do constantly make resolutions that I would like to stick to. A recurring goal is to learn to relax. In the spirit of relaxation, I wanted to try to take a bath before writing this and I stopped dead in my tracks: I don’t think I have taken a bath in over 15 years. Is this crazy? It could very well be longer than that. I was a varsity swimmer in high school, so I clearly wasn’t looking to soak in water any more than I already had to. After leaving home I shied away from bathing in the dorms (I’m not sure it was even possible) and in apartments (fearing how many people had been in those tubs). In medical school and residency I also felt like I didn’t have the time and I was always just too tired. The shower has always been a quick way to wake up, scrub down, listen to some Beastie Boys and move on.

So here I am now. I have a home, I have some time and I want to relax. Seems like my path to the bath, no? Sure. So how the heck do I go about doing this? Taking a bath is not only a means of relaxation, but also a necessary life skill. I learned this the hard way during a 5-week rotation in the south of France. There were only tubs with hand held spray nozzles, and I sobbed every time I tried to get clean. I shouldn’t have shared that, but this can be about cleansing on other levels too. Yes, I lost it without good showers. It feels good to get that off my chest.

I have so many questions about taking baths. I have tried to look to the movies to learn how cool chic women do it, but I do NOT recommend Googling “Beautiful women taking bath movies”- None are instructional. I do however highly recommend looking at stock images of “woman in bath”. Wow, do they look happy and relaxed… I mean look at that goofball above! Her everyday is my best day, I am quite certain! Anyway, here are my questions… I am hoping someone can help:

1. Do baths really get you clean, or do you have to shower before or after you bathe?

This troubles me to no end. Talk about me-so soup (oh my gosh I am so sorry). But seriously, how does this work? And when do you wash your hair and face?

2. How hot should you make the water, and how long does it stay hot enough?

I take scalding hot showers. Is this just not going to work out for me?

3. Can you shave your legs in the tub?

The answer has to be no, right? Sitting in your own leg hair seems creepy.

4. Can you sing in the tub?

A bath is so quiet! Without the noise of the shower I feel like every move or sound I make will be transmitted throughout the world!

5. Can you cry in the tub?

Again, I am concerned about the quiet. I have written before about the benefits of a good shower cry. I need this occasional outlet. Is a bath cry as satisfying?

6. Can you really drink wine?

I had a roommate in medical school that would sit in the bathtub with a glass of port (that is a drink I have yet to get my head around). Do people do this? I am terrified of broken glass, falling asleep and drowning, or falling. Let me share that I recently fell getting out of the bathtub bathing my dog and cracked a rib. Stone sober.

7. Can you really read there?

This would have been great for medical school! I tend to need to highlight and write though. And do you have to keep the page turning hand dry? I am terrified of a soggy page.

8. What music do you listen to?

My go to shower music is the Beastie Boys, Fiona Apple (for singing or crying), Bowie, or Led Zeppelin. Would this work for the tub? Or do I need trance music or sensual music or something? Oh man, I am really getting worked up now.

9. Does it take way longer than showering?

How much time do I need to carve out for this? Can I go out afterward, or is it more of a wind down and stay in kind of thing? It seems like a nighttime activity, right? Sorry that was just a bunch of questions. No organization there.

10. Are some people just not suited to baths?

So there you have it. That’s what just went through my mind when I thought “Hey maybe I’ll chill out and take a bath”. While I think I would enjoy wine, keeping my hair dry (and less frizzy), lying down and being able to hear or see murderers entering the bathroom… Maybe I am just a shower person. But please tell me how it’s done! Help! Is there a “gateway bath”?

]]>http://hellogiggles.com/breaking-bath-why-i-stick-with-the-shower/feed/29How To Succeed In Sciencehttp://hellogiggles.com/how-to-succeed-in-science/
http://hellogiggles.com/how-to-succeed-in-science/#commentsMon, 23 Jan 2012 12:00:19 +0000Alexandrahttp://hellogiggles.com/?p=44311If you are reading this, please know that in my fantasy world the Beastie Boys’ ‘Sounds Of Science’ would start playing once…
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How To Succeed In Science

If you are reading this, please know that in my fantasy world the Beastie Boys’ ‘Sounds Of Science’ would start playing once you clicked on this link. Thus, the photo of the three guys that have had no small part in getting me through life via their music.

Let’s get one thing straight: Science isn’t nerdy. It isn’t geeky. It is awesome. It also isn’t “too hard” for anyone who loves it. You don’t need to be a super genius. (Okay, well in some areas you do. Yes I am talking to you, oh Biomedical Engineer Computer Genius brother of mine.) I am by no means a genius, not even super smart. But I do have a mind for science. If I read an article about politics, I am lost. If I devour a book for fun and love it, I can’t even tell you the plot a week later. However, if you give me an article on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, I will quote it and have questions. Ask me about anatomy or innervation or analysis of a thromboelastogram? No problem.

As with anything else, you need to love science it to commit to it. You need curiosity and dedication. If you are drawn to the sciences, pay attention to that. We are usually drawn to things we can do well. So grab your narrow ruled notebooks, get some multicolored pens and trick out your backpack. It’s science time.

1. Make friends.

I, too, thought that only nerds and geeks were in science classes. The truth is we are all nerds and geeks, therefore none of us are. I found some of the most interesting, most hilarious and best friends in science classes and in the medical field who I wouldn’t have met otherwise. On the flipside of this, I struggled to find common ground with people in my non-science courses (and sometimes I still do in my every day life). You need to bond with you colleagues and fellow students to bounce ideas of each other, to vent, to advise each other and to stay inspired.

2. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

After a while, “cramming” doesn’t work for science. So much of what you learn relies on memory and repetition that you really do need to work at it every day. You need to work at your science fitness, if you will. Train your brain and ingrain. That’s my new slogan. When you go over organic chemistry over and over, you finally get it. It becomes a part of you. It’s the same with calculus. It’s the same with the Krebs Cycle… And so on, and so forth.

3. Get creative, too.

I made endless piles of charts and intricate notes. This was my creative outlet. We are talking poster board, multicolored pens, notecards, heavy stock narrow ruled paper, graph paper and the finest ballpoint pen tips made. Going back over my college and medical school notes, it’s easy to mistake them for the obsessive documentation of a serial killer. It’s also kind of beautiful. I intend to make a collage someday and homage to obsession (and fear of failure).

4. Try to keep some hobbies.

All work and no play… We all know how that ends. Since you are already taking serial killer-obsessive notes, you need to keep it light with some extracurricular activities. I keep up with yoga and running, and I make one or two intense drawings or paintings or projects every year or so. I also continue to obsess over fashion and pop culture. I knit, too, which is very good for anxious hands when you need a study break. When all else fails, remember to relax and watch a movie or talk with friends (not about school) every now and then.

5. Befriend mnemonics.

Oh, mnemonics. The things medical school legends are made of. I could go on and on. They really get you by. Especially the ones that you make up that are beyond ridiculous, you will remember them forever. To list a few classics off the top of my head:

SALFOPMS – Branches of the external carotid artery

NAVEL – Order of structures, lateral to medial, in the femoral triangle

VAN – Veins, Arteries, Nerve bundle under each rib

6. Surround yourself with supportive people.

This is kind of a given for any endeavor, but I think it’s a good thing to remind ourselves that we really can improve our chances for success with a strong support system. You need people who understand that you need to go into your self-imposed solitary confinement for studying a few times a year. People need to understand that you can’t just blow studying off for a day. You need friends who won’t take it personally when you disappear off the face of the earth during exam time, or that you can rarely make plans. You can’t be pressured to drink or party when you have work to do.

7. Take care of yourself.

I know I always write this. I write it because it is the hardest thing to do. You are only as good and as able as you let yourself be. Try your hardest to eat right, sleep and manage your stress in healthy ways. Take it from me – I struggle with this to this very day. It’s so hard when you are putting everything you need to do first. You can’t do anything for long if you aren’t healthy and if you don’t have support.

8. Enjoy what you do.

It’s no more complicated than just that. Do what you love. Keep your passion and curiosity kindled. Find ways to keep yourself inspired. This is difficult, but necessary for you and to advance the different fields of science. What is science without questions?

9. Don’t be afraid to fail.

Yes, grades matter to a certain extent. But you can’t live and die by them. Do what you need to do to understand, and try your hardest. There is always help, no one wants you to fail (except the rare psycho competitive classmates, but ignore them). Yes you need to worry about grades and doing well, but if you try your hardest the grades and more importantly the understanding, will come.

That’s it for my science tips. I’ve loved the stuff since Dynamath and the school science fair. I’m consistently blown away and inspired by my peers, but I have also held my own staying true to my self and the above guidelines. Come join the dark side! Also, share your tips. As always, thanks for reading… And dropping science like Galileo dropped the orange! Seriously, listen to Beastie Boys “Sounds of Science” right now. Get excited.